Fujifilm X30 First Impressions Review

The Fujifilm X20, introduced in January 2013, was a pretty impressive camera. With a 2/3" X-Trans sensor, relatively fast 28-112mm equivalent F2-2.8 lens, and a design that fitted right in with the company's other X-series models, it was a refreshing alternatives to other premium compacts.

While not a huge leap forward, Fujifilm's X30 has some noticeable changes, including a move from an optical to electronic viewfinder as well as adding an articulated LCD. The X30 also gains a ring around its lens for adjusting settings, as well as a dedicated movie record button. The 'guts' of the X30 remain the same, meaning that it has a 12MP X-Trans CMOS II sensor and EXR Processor II. One of our main complaints about the X20 - battery life - has been dramatically improved on the X30.

That's an impressive list of specs for a camera with an MSRP of $599. We've been using X-Trans sensors for a while now and have been impressed with their quality, though they don't tend to handle green tones terrible well. The EXR Processor II performs well, with snappy focusing and a fast burst mode. The only areas in which the camera feels sluggish are menu navigation and wake-from-sleep (which is slow on most Fujifilm cameras).

While a lot of people love their optical viewfinders, the one on the X20 wasn't terribly good. The X30 has a beautiful XGA OLED viewfinder that's quite large for this class. The rear LCD is also nice, and now has the ability to tilt upward by a little more than 90 degrees and downward by 45.

Fujifilm has expanded its selection of Film Simulation modes with the addition of 'Classic Chrome', which simulates the appearance of Kodachrome (though for licensing reasons, Fujifilm can't say that). The camera lets you bracket for film similation modes (among other things) and you can also change it using the in-camera Raw processor.

One final addition is Wi-Fi, which is nearly standard on enthusiast cameras in 2014. Using the Fujifilm Camera Remote app you can control the camera, download photos, or add location data from your smartphone.

Specs compared

The table below gives you a quick look at the differences between the X20 and X30:

Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm X30

Effective resolution

12.0 Megapixel

Processor

EXR Processor II

Lens focal range

28-112mm equiv.

Lens maximum aperture

F2.0-2.8

Control ring around lens

No

Yes

LCD design

Fixed

Tilting (~90 up/45 down)

LCD size (resolution)

2.8" (460k dot)

3.0" (920k dot)

Viewfinder

Optical

Electronic

Viewfinder coverage

85%

100%

Continuous shooting

12 fps

Max video resolution

1080p/60

External mic input

No

Yes

Wired remote input

No

Yes

Wi-Fi

No

Yes

Battery life (CIPA)

270 shots

470 shots

We've already covered most of those, but it's worth noting just how much better battery life is on the X30. At the time of publication, the X30 has the best battery life of any enthusiast compact.

Equivalent Aperture

Below is a look at how the X30's 2/3" sensor and fast lens affect depth-of-field and (potentially) image quality:

The above chart shows the changes in 35mm equivalent aperture as the equivalent focal length increases. This chart allows you to see the effect of the different aperture and lens ranges, taking into account the different sensor sizes. The X30 starts out with most of the inexpensive enthusiast compacts and stays neck and neck with the Olympus XZ-2. This is interesting, as it shows how the larger sensor of the X30 and faster lens of the XZ-2 cancel each other out. The more expensive cameras G1 X II and RX100 III have an advantage throughout their focal range, though the RX100 II falls behind the X30 at around 60mm.

So what does this all mean? Simply put, it means that the X30 allows for shallower depth-of-field than the cameras that are 'above it' on the chart and, more appropriately here, vice versa. One could also make the assumption that the X30 will have pretty good low light performance unless compared to a couple of more expensive models.

Pricing and Accessories

The X30 will be available in black and silver

The X30 will be available in black or silver/black at a price of $599.95. Available accessories include a leather case, lens hood and protective filter, various external flashes, and an external mic.

The one line manual is amazing way better than Canon's. here is the link http://fujifilm-dsc.com/en/manual/x30/. The links work perfect from my smartphone so when I have questions I can find them on the run.

This is the best camera I have ever used by far. I keep discovering new features like "pro focus" which gives lots of bokeh from the tiny sensor and "pro low light" which takes multiple shots of a night scene in order to give a non-mottled image even with the tiny sensor. There are dozens more. It makes me smile.

Also, the Chrome film option is delightful. The zoom covers the range I like the most: 28 to 112. And it's a fast lens.

When I'm using manual focus I really like the button that autofocuses it for me on one part of a scene and then I leave it there for several more fast shots.

I score this camera just about perfect on everything. And I have made 16x20 inch prints from this 2/3rd inch sensor that look lovely so I don't even see the need for a APS-C sensor or full frame. This camera is so lightweight that I take with me at all times thus yielding a cornucopia of fine art shots.

Hi! I am looking for a compact camera for my travel for some time now. Is this X30 good for my usage as a beginner? I'm not very particular with the other specifications as long as it can create good images without the hassle since I'm still learning the basics. I hope you can help me. Thanks.

Hello, yes I think it is a good camera for you. I learned on the X20 & moved on to a more manual camera with lenses. This month I bought the X30 for a 2nd cam because it's more compact for certain activities. You can't go wrong with the X30. You can use it fully auto when on your trip & other times, when you have time to learn, you can use on semi & full manual. I traveled Italy with the X20 & have wonderful souvenirs. Best thing you can do is go to a store & try it in-store, bring your own SD card, you can look at the results. Take your time, read lots of reviews to help you decide.The viewfinder is great, I use it all the time. Battery life is fantastic; for travel get a second batt for any camera.Lots of customizable buttons to avoid getting deep into menus, very good for that. It has a zoom that is great for travel; bigger the zooms = sacrifice on image quality.The leather case is idea for traveling, it protects, and easy to flip open, shoot, and close.

Hello, I have been looking at all the comments. Got to point out 'cost' the difference between a x30 & a Sony Rx100M3 & many other models mentioned, is the price, when do you stop? That's a what I'm asking myself. I had a Fuji X20 & gave it as a gift to son, so that's gone.I'm looking for a second camera to my X-E2 for skiing, x-skiing, biking etc. But the shutter button on the Sony is tiny, I prefer extreme cold to big crowds so taking my mitts off, ouch! that's a consideration too. It has to fit inside my side pocket inside ski jacket.Looking at both x30 & RX100M3:** Sony for size, quality of image, EVF, articulated screen. ** x30 for price, knowledge of it, less clicking at menus, zoom, battery-life & quality EVF (smaller then my X-E2 wth lens, even 18mm pancake), but still "big". Comments refer to models BUT without viewfinders. Lots of us need reading glasses for LCD screens, not ideal at all :)Research & forums like this is key to make a decision.Decision, decision....

Hi, I owned the rx100 and although the device took great pictures it was too small and fiddly and did not give me the "enjoyment" of using a camera to take photos. I bought the x-30 to use on a family vacation in Europe for 2 weeks. The the x-30 was absolutely "enjoyable to use" with the fuji leather case. I kept it at max 800 iso and shot jpgs. The jpgs. are beautiful so imho there is no need to go to the computer and process RAW files. So, the reason to purchase the X30 would be to have an enjoyable experience using a camera not an "electronic device" to take photos. The retro design does look cool but that is not a reason to buy it. It has a very sharp "manual" zoom lens which is very fast to use and settings are quick to change without menu diving. I also use reading glasses and I am used to an EVF which is super clear on this camera and not designed as an afterthought. Yes, it is 12mp and may not work for poster prints but the images sure look great on a 40in HDMI TV.

Hi Brad09I agree. I purchased the X30 after trying the Sony in the store and it's just not the camera for me for the same reasons you mentioned, not as much fun. I already took the Fuji X30 skiing and I love it just as much as my old X20. It is a joy to shoot with, small and light and it makes you want to shoot! AND I can use with it my mitts, believe me this is important we've been skiing so far this winter in temps of -29c to -13c so it is important for me. Wish I could attach a few pics for those wondering about the x30. It was like coming home when I got the X30. I love my X-E2, it's just too big for sports. Wish you much enjoyment too!PS: I got over 500 pics out of the first charge! I ordered the Wasabi charger/auto adapter and 2 batteries 'package' on Amazon for $42. It comes from the UK so it will take a while (end Feb-March). But a lot of people on forums recommended this.

I have owned the X30 since launch, and spent a lot of time trying to get the best from it. I think it is a very well designed camera for serious photographers. Being a smaller sensor I have found you need to get close to your subject at short focal distances, the magnification of the smaller sensor will give poor distant details. Despite Fuji's reputation for great jpeg I have found sharpness and noise reduction far better using Aperture raw with nr off, detail and sharpness at 15 and 40 respectively. Using the Histogram always ETTR which matches the Standard Provia preview quite well.

I remember reading this 'review' sometime ago before buying my x30. I have also had the Sony's RXs and currently also own an LX100 as my other compact. I'm almost certain that if you ask anyone who's owned this camera, or any of the x10/20/30 they'll tell you that although at times the sensor size does make a difference these cameras are a joy to use and shoot and the experience just makes you want to shoot more and more which is not something you hear often about any other cameras. My LX does noticeably better in low light but comes second in the 'fun' category to the Fuji. Handling is fairly close (for me) with the Fuji just edging the Pana out. If the Fuji had better low light performance I'd probably sell the LX so I think a larger-sensor X40 with similar lens specs and body size would take the crown in this category.

I'm curious to know how you find the image quality of the x30 compared to the LX100. I have the LX 100 and am disappointed with the lens once you move away from the very center....? Also, it doesn't seem to get any better as you stop down (about f/4 or wider is best, but f/8 is definitely overall worse!)

I find the fuji lens to be just behind the LX when shot at its best, 28mm @f4 in the centre in terms of sharpness, but... unlike the LX the fuji maintains this sharpness almost all the way to the extreme corners at all apertures except at the higher f-stops, so I think it's a better lens overall. I do find it gets very soft at its longest so I never shoot it over 100mm. The sensor does produce noisier images though which is expected as it is significantly smaller, but not as much as an issue as some reviews make it out to be, particularly if, like me, you don't mind a bit of grain-like noise in your images. Out of camera jpegs and colours are nicer on the Fuji. Here's a link to my flickr where i posted images of a sunset taken with both cameras if you are interested https://www.flickr.com/photos/98508671@N02/ cheers

How 'fun' a camera is to shoot is down to the individuals criteria I guess, but I like how the X30 has a manual zoom and a second ring to control focus/ISO/aperture/shutter etc. It has a noticeable better EVF than the LX and feels better in (my) hands. The only thing the LX has over this for me is the image quality at high ISO but until you look at the images the Fuji feels nicer to use for me. If it were up to me I'd also get rid of the mode dial and replace it with the shutter speed dial like the LX100.

Perhaps the image quality produced by the Fuji sensor is competitive with the larger 1 inch except for those who need the very large prints or other large reproductions formats. A small minority of photograpers by most statistics. Of course large sensor is very important to the pixel peepers. If you have these requirments just go full frame sensor and be done.

I purchased the X30 yesterday-could not resist-and find that, generally, I do like it better than the X20.

I am having a problem with the Fn6 (Wifi) button in that it is extremely hard to get the thing to work. First of all, you have to depress it with a lot of force to get it to work; and then, it sometimes will not work at all when some functions, e.g. ISO, are assigned to it. At first I thought it might be physically damaged, as it does not protrude from the camera body surface like all of the other buttons; but then I noticed that the button in the DPR photos does not protrude either.

Also, I am having difficulty getting Wifi to work with my IPhone (Yes, I have loaded the Fuji App)

For those tempted (or already using) X-Trans sensors, forget about Lightroom support. They took 5 years to get an average/acceptable Olympus/Panasonic rendering.And Capture One still eat LR for breakfast in this domain.

You want the best picture from your Fuji X-Trans (and Pana/Oly too) ?Get Photo Ninja.And integrate Photo Ninja as export/plugin inside LR if you want to use LR management and plugins support.Adobe are like Canon : they move only when they are forced to. And Fuji market share is not going to force them, even Pana/Oly didn't succeeded ;)

Take some hours on Photo Ninja and you will never use anything else for meticulous raw rendering. Especially on X-Trans.

Sure, but workflow/speed with Photo Ninja is about as close to awful as you can get.Depending on what you intend to do with the pictures, the best software is the one that addresses the workflow/DAM/features/IQ balance the best for the individual.Image quality differences will be negligible between any DAM/Raw converter, especially for a sensor as small as the X30's.I use C1 Pro for the bigger X-trans sensor as I believe I can see a difference for my kind of photography. I personally don't get along with Lightroom but I know many who do and are consistently churning out excellent photography.

The idea that there is one perfect technological answer to problems such as algorithmic RAW conversion, and that that answer is given by a fringe product (in this case PhotoNinja) is too blinkered.

And all too often such comments seem to be driven by an often misplaced sensibility toward disliking a giant such as Adobe.

I was speaking to ppl thinking they will get a good Trans-X support in LR : don't even think about it. It is not going to happen anytime soon.I use LR, but for plugins after RAW rendering, catalog, publishing, small edits... It is not a matter of conspiracy again. Adobe don't care about Panasonic, Fuji, Olympus and Sony.Another reality not related to conspiracy, but just money and market share.I agree with you about workflow, because at the end, if you can't handle your pictures, they are useless and just hard drive fillers ;)

What always amuses me is that in the days of film, no one really seemed to mind the popular 35mm format with its limitation of, no matter what lenses used (including those of Leica), classic hallmark grain and tonal crudifying tendencies branded the format. I don't know what today's equivalent in megapixcels would be but you can be sure that it would not be very high! Imagine my surprise then when a friend, many years ago, showed me a portrait he'd taken with a new Olympus 3.3 mp digital camera he'd just bought. Professionally printed out, it was of a clarity, detail and cleanliness the would have easily fooled me into believing it was shot on either 120 or maybe even 5x4 film! And this from a tiny three megapixcel sensor! So how then, ten years on, can a sensor size of 12 MP have any adverse bearing on picture quality today? None, I suggest!But to the new X30 - does anyone know if the X20's blotchiness in gradients in low light levels (such as in grass under a bush) has been cured?

Given the size of this thing... a little massive for a very small sensor camera by today's standards, I feel disappointed that Fuji isn't offering a 1" sensor or larger. I might even prefer a 1" from Nikon with lower megapixel count, for the larger photosites, rather than a 1" Sony sensor.

Can you send me one in black and white? And I don't mean the dress or the envelope disguising it all. I mean the sensor of course. No queer color filter array there to mess things up. And we can do away with the microlended too - no need for those. messing things up. Just photosites, signaling whether light's on, or not, and how much of it there is, diving into each photosite.

It is still weird that the chart above showing the equivalent aperture for the X30, and the XZ-2 are almost totally identical, including the focal length range.

To me that says we're very closely related, as no other camera (of those shown) have anything even barely looking a bit similar.

As we know the MX-1 and the XZ-1 and the ZX-2 have the same optics, why then does Fuji show exactly the same graph (there is a tiny deviation, but that is so small that I bet the XZ-1 compared to a XZ-2 has at least that variation, too — clearly within manufacturing variation limits!

They are nothing alike because they are totally different sized lenses. They are just almost perfectly the same aperture difference as they are sensor size difference.

XZ-2 is a 1/1.7" sensor, the X30 is a 2/3" sensor. THe larger one is f2.0-f2.8 and the smaller one is f1.8-f2.5. There's a little over 10% difference in their aperture size and a little over 10% difference in their diagonal sensor size.

First thing I notice is that its a camera for right-EYED people (like most cameras)! Try using your wrong eye - I find that even worse than the wrong hand. So I just have to put up with my thumb in my face and my nose squashed against the screen, greasy marks, etc.

I want to love the X30, It's got a great retro rangefinder appeal, solid ergonomics, Fuji image processing (which I still miss after years of moving away from their discontinued professional DSLR line). I'm just stuck on the fact that given that X30 is larger than the LX100, and considerably larger than the G7 or RX100, yet has similar aperture range (albeit with slightly longer zoom range), and only manages to have a fraction of the sensor surface of either. I think Fuji is going to have to develop something in between their 2/3" and APS-C sensors, and figure out how to squeeze it into a X30 size body without slowing down the lens if they want to stay relevant in the new high end compact market.

It will satisfy most compact camera users with the built-in EVF and even have a hot shoe. But think again.

The size is so big, even bigger than the LX100.When it comes to sensor size, it is among the smallest.The price is not that cheap either.Shooting RAW maybe frustrating with the Silkypix software. Still no Adobe support.

Perhaps the only thing that they can shout about is the battery life and they are really shouting.

For about the same price, the GM1 will beat it on image quality and ease of carrying around. Definitely, a better value even if I need to carry a spare battery.

There is no need for the EVF and hot shoe. Those who need them can consider the GM5.

hmm.. I thought Adobe has extensive support for X-Trans' RAW nowadays, even as far as retaining Fuji's film simulation mode as per Adobe LR 5? CMIIW..

For a poor hobbyist like me, $300 difference in price is quite huge. Convert it to IDR (IDR 7 Mio for X30, almost IDR 10 Mio for LX100), the price difference is almost the same as regional minimum monthly wage :D

Yes indeed LX100 has bigger sensor, but out of 17mpix available only 13mpix is utilized? IMO that would put LX100 equally-sized sensor as X30, again CMIIW..

If money is a concern, it is best not to buy any of these as a second camera. The best value is a Canon S120. Small, convenient to carry around and give quite good image quality for a very reasonable price.

A P&S camera like the S120 is always a compromise. Even the X30 is. Very few or no small sensor camera will give good high ISO images. For me, I would always use below ISO400, ISO800 only when I have to stretch it. When one can use it at ISO200 and below, the image quality is more than acceptable.

A micro4/3 sensor like that found in the LX100 or GM1 should give a much higher image quality. I am quite satisfied with the image quality of the GM1. Ultimately, you usually get what you pay.

I think the move to EVF is significant. Who wants an optical viewfinder that doesn't show at least 95% of the image - not to mention parallax issues.The sensor being the same size may look poor against the new offerings from Panasonic and Sony but in the end the results are what matter. Improved af is welcome. An increase in size is a bit puzzling. Personally I would rather they had put the 25-100mm zoom from the Xf1 in.

The X30 is the only camera of this type that provides certain capabilities that are important to me, notably accommodation of an external microphone for video, and interval shooting. I might wish that it had a Bulb setting for long exposures but can live without that.I have not owned a Fuji camera before--this will be the first--and will give it a shot. It's not shipping until November, and I am pre-ordering completely on spec since I have not seen one in person and probably will not until this shows up at my door.

I've been using a Canon S110 and love it to death, but I want a second high-end P&S with more capabilities and the X30 comes closest to fulfilling my requirements.

this is definitely a significant step up from your s110 (which you won't even want to touch anymore once you're at home with the controls on this thing). but for the money, wouldn't you want to wait, rather than pre-order? I mean, there is the RX100iii, LX100, GM5... lots of interesting cameras coming out.

This camera is a clone of the XZ-1/XZ-2 and the MX-1, as they use exactly the same lens and very similar sensor type. Evidently an OEM supplies the optics and the focusing mechanism, while the brand name makes the outer casing and add their own, tweaked, firmware (possibly the electronics, too, but the similarities are scarily similar).

The two that stand out, is the X30, with built-in viewfinder, and the MX-1 with none (not even a external, mechanical/optical, option, as the X10 has)! They are also the two heaviest, by the way:

re: "But why does Fuji bother with cameras with so small sensors?!"Because not everyone needs a huge sensor and the 2/3rds sensor is quite good for 99% of the buyers. I would surmise that most X30 users rarely even make a print.

I stated it before, i use the Leica Digilux 2 with only 5m pixels. It is the lens that counts. I also own a x10 and i have made panorama prints of 180cmx30cm with more enough of details. I don't agree with Tord and i agree with John. Unless you are not making prints who the hell cares about the sensor size, unless you are a pro and have to have make prints in poster size. I think that we can say that all the people who wants a new camera with even bigger sensors every time a new one is on the market, are not photographers, but are more interested is wanting a small camera with the specs of a fulltime frame. I like to say to them, get out, and take some pictutres. To be honest, i take my old Leica Digilux 2 more out then the x10, because the pictures loods amazing.

I own the X30 and do make prints, and I have to say that up to 13 x 19 inch prints are amazing with that little sensor. I showed them to some photographers, they didn't even notice anything that looked like small sensor. The 100% pixelpeeping view is totally overrated.

the 2/3 sensor is something they are already invested in and have their production lines tooled for. it goes back to the X-S1 (and maybe earlier). I think that when they decide to put in a 1" or a MFT sized sensor into their compacts, they will be facing a decision whether to invest significant dollars into redesigning all their lenses and lens parts... they probably have a library of parts they can just choose from, when they make their camera model evolve. Change the sensor size to something you haven't used, and you are starting from scratch. It is unfortunate, because I would have liked to see a successor to the X-S1 with at least a 1" sensor, if not a MFT sized one.

It's funny, last years large 2/3 sensor is this years, "But why does Fuji bother with cameras with so small sensors?!"

The EVF, handling and manual zoom is really what makes this camera standout from the rest - not to mention its retro look. I don't get too caught up on sensor size in this type (compact/street/walk around) of camera. If you want to do serious prints or pro work none of the aforementioned cameras are serous contenders.

I'm pretty happy with my X20, but the upgrade bug is calling. I've got a Sony A6000 on order, and previewed it at a local Best Buy (don't get me started on how awful that experience was).

Anyway, the electronic viewfinder thing is new to me, and I can't say I particularly liked the A6000 EVF, as I panned the camera across the room I go this strobing effect. The sales person said the strobing was the exposure being compensated for and could be turned off. But he didn't recommend it.

I guess I'm old school and like optical. Does anyone thing the X30's EVF will be better than the A6000. I don't know if any reviewers that have access to the X30 haunt these forums.

My real problem is no one in my area is going to carry the X30 so I have to either order one and check it out myself, or hope someone of the forums can make comment on the X30 EVF vs. the A6000's viewfinder at some point.

I am an optical VF guy too, but I tried the XT-1 in a camera shop and the viewfinder was amazing. I would trade in my Canon 7D if I didn't have so muych lense investment! The EVF in the XT-1 is the same in the X30, it is awesome! The only thing holding me back from the X30 is some negative comments about the Xtrans sensor and colors and software needed to edit. Any X20 users that could comment here on their experience would be welcome!

I'm sure an update to Lightroom will quickly become available (it works ok for the X20). I tried the X30 EVF in a shop the other day and I thought it was excellent, and would transform the experience of using the X30 as compared to the rather frustrating viewfinders on the X20 and X10. I would have pressed the buy button on an X30 if the LX100 hadn't muddied the waters - waiting for the first serious reviews of that before I make a decision.

I love the new design and I have always loved the way the Fuji X10 and X20 handled, particularly the manual zoom. In fact, the haptics alone have me tempted to get the Fuji X30 despite the small sensor size since it solves my main gripe by far with the previous two models, which was the crappy viewfinder. All that said, it is a shame that Fuji did not go with a 1" sensor. I am sure there are all kinds of reasons but, in the current environment with 1" compact options multiplying plus the announcement of the LX100, a 2/3" sensor on a camera larger than a NEX 6 is hard to make sense of.

I don't see need to stuff big sensor in a small body for enthusiastic. Even the small sensors in $600 cams should produce a significantly better image than a high end smartphone otherwise people will stop buying them as they already stop buying the low end PS.

I think camera makers are still lucky the smartphones are not there yet...

Although everyone has the experience of buying something with appeal only to find later they wish they had spent a little bit more, I have yet to regret buying a 1:1.6 / f1.8 compact camera because I still get good use of it. Though not my main camera now, I don't always need or require the best camera I own. Bottom line: the pitch on these fast glass compacts is valid. If you don't have a camera and wish to enter the game, you should NOT buy a 1:2, 1:2.3 or 1:2.5 pocket camera. I have one of those too, that I use outdoors at Scout Camp once a year. General photography requires a bit more and these advanced compacts are a great place to start. If you are only ever going to buy one camera, you SHOULD fork out that little extra for one-inch because the slightly larger sensor gives you two stops, 4x shutter. Another $100 will get you THREE stops if the LX100 that comes out tomorrow lives up to the rumors. 8x shutter speed will save some shots! All our picky opinions are about keepers.

uh, guys, don't really know a lot about technology, but i do use an X10, have an EM-5, had a Nikon DSLR a few years ago, and have had a bunch of cameras that took really good pictures....and I have to tell you, the quality of the pictures on the X10 are sensational, and the X20 is even better. I spend a half hour a day looking at pics on Flicker's X10/X20 group and Sony RX100 group, and i'll be damned on my Ipad if I can tell that one has a 1" sensor (which BTW is a geometric joke....it's not like it is a full frame or something....) or not. The FUji pix are sensational, so are the Sony. There is more to a camera and IQ than sensor size, i mean, arne't we just looking at pixel envy again? What about image stabilization, color rendition, focus time, etc.? Sorry, i've taken great pictures with my old G10, which now has a sensor in it that my photo shop tells me is for a point and shoot (even though I bought it from them...). Come on. Look at the pictures, not the sensors.

Too little is relative. "Appropriate" is just as accurate unless you think you SHOULD be upgrading your camera every year. Anyone with an X20 or X100S should have many more years of enjoyment out of it, these new models are for people who don't have one yet.

There's the loss of the optical viewfinder, and imho that was a loss. More battery life or new battery, it's an improvement. Everything else seems disappointing. The thing that differentied the X20 from other cameras is lost, and why buy it now when the LX100 is around? I really wanted to like this camera but was expecting much more. A 1" sensor, even if this meant a slightly shorter zoom range, for instance 24-90mm f2.0-2.8. Proper manual focus, not focus-by-wire would be great. With this and the OVF you minimize power consuption, parallax error be damned. Making it more of enthusiast oriented. Manual diaphragm ring would be great too, but i would be happy with proper manual focus already, and some kind of focus confirmation in the OFV.

Ergonomics is one reason. I love how my X-E1 feels in my hand, anything much smaller would be ridiculous to use with an EVF. Most of the tiny MFT cameras have no built-in EVF, so there's no real comparison.

I have RX100 and everybody knows it is super small. But put it against x10 and you would realize that the rx100 is about maybe 80% of x10, it just the x10 looks bigger because of the many knobs and things.

The LX100 has a slightly cropped MFT sensor, factor 2.2 so if you choose aspect ratio 16:9 it is as wide as a MFT, the lens is thus kept smaller and lighter than if it was a full MFT sensor16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (Up to 12.7MP used)

HUGE camera for such tiny sensor. Fuji should take lesons from Sony how to put 1" sensor and fast lens into body. Porobably Panasonic LX-8 will be also much smaller than X30. Some APS-C are just a little bigger than X30.

There is simply no need for Fuji to change the sensor size from 2/3 to 1inch... Having used both sensors 2/3 on Fuji XF1 and 1inch on Nikon 1 V1 the quality is better on the Fuji... Mainly due to the layout of pixcels...

"By Griffo 155 (3 days ago)There is simply no need for Fuji to change the sensor size from 2/3 to 1inch... Having used both sensors 2/3 on Fuji XF1 and 1inch on Nikon 1 V1 the quality is better on the Fuji... Mainly due to the layout of pixcels..."

I just compared the Sony RX100iii to the Fuji X20 (same sensor as X30) and at iso 1600 the Sony easily beats it. At lower iso the Sony beats it due to greater resolution. Fuji made a mistake using a 2/3 sensor. The pixel layout performs no miracles but it sounds good on paper.

I owned a Fuji S9000 back in the day when they touted the "Super CCD" because of it's pixel layout. It was no better than any other similar cameras in IQ.

Wouldn't be them figuring out how to stop time, but instead them hooking the OIS up to subject tracking, and shifting the lens to match the movement of a subject. Like it would give you a similar effect to when you pan to track a car and end up with a sharp car but motion-blurred background.

Fuji currently doesn't make a 1" sensor and would have to develop at new, and given the tragedy of X10 orbs because of using a new sensor they are understandably very cautious of doing the same mistake again!!

They have optimised the current sensor and firmware very well so there is less green smudging and less shadow noise in the X30, much cleaner than the X20 and absolutely useful at iso 1600

The autofocus is WAY better, even in low light, and by using the same sharp 28-112 they can keep it free from CA and corner softness which might have been a problem using a new 24mm (although i had really hoped that they made it 24-150mm:)

I would think Fuji might jump on the 1" bandwagon. This camera is considerably larger than the R100, yet has less than half the sensor area. I know that is one thing that allows the faster lens, but I would jump on 16-20mp 1" version of this camera, even if if the lens dropped to say 2.8-4.0.

For me the spec is ok, provided the camera itself remains small in size. But I find the design of the X30 lacks the elegance of the X10/X20. It looks bigger and altogether a bit run-of-the-mill. Bigger batteries with longer life are always useful, but that advantage is tempered by the fact that the batteries used on the X10/X20 are small and easy to carry. Fuji may have positioned this camera in no-mans-land where people are short of reasons to buy it.

... or maybe that button should not be there until about a month after the camera has been released. That way, immature children would not be able to play with things that should not be there in the first place.

You can't just 'jump on 1" bandwagon' . Sony makes their own 1" sensor. Nikon uses Aptina sensor. And Fuji prides themselves on their sensors and the IQ they produce. And the Fuji 2/3" sensor is not less than half the size of a 1" sensor. At least not based on what I learned in elementary school.

The other thing is reading through all these posts paints a really weird picture of the authors of a lot of the posts: people with very small hands with psychic powers, they can see the future but yet still look for what they want in the wrong place or rather thing.... :D its entertaining...i'm gonna go take some photos with my small sensor camera, I think it's a better thing to do than looking at it with ruler and metric tape at hand, it's not what it was made for. I see things don't ever change in these forums, I think i'll go back into photos and avoiding forums like this :D I'll leave you wit the work of Alex Majoli and his small sensor camera (which since the advent of the 1" sensor has been deemed worthless) http://www.robgalbraith.com/multi_page8c1c.html?cid=7-6468-7844

forums -although im new in this one-, helps to debate and consider a lots of things from a camera and/or its evolution, i think anyone will not stop buying a camera only considering what its spoken here, and without having a solid and personal conclusion of an item. i know what your point is, but as i said before- i prefer to hear all the opinions from different perceptions and cares; rather than have an unique veredict about a camera. that veredict is and should always be, personal. XD

Thank you for that link! I own an X10 (as well as other Fuji bodies) and have taken images that have won awards and have sold prints from it. These reviews and these discussions generally tend to be based on the "is it worth it" context, so they are less philosophical than your comment. Though valid points on larger sensors, IQ, etc, I find that the resulting images as well as how the camera fits your needs and style are more important. e.g., I can agree that the RX100 images look better at high ISOs, but the ergonomics and getting at the functions/settings expeditiously doesn't work for me with this camera (I was looking to replace my X10), but it does with the X10. The images out of the X10 (likewise the X20/X30) are fine if you're not shooting portraits where extreme shallow DOF is required. To me, the X10/X20/X30 is a nice reportage camera. You can see my X10 images at http://www.lightandmatter.org/2012/equipment-reviews/fujifilm-x10-the-little-camera-that-can/

It looks like many are not familiar with the concept of cognitive friction and complain about the cameras looking the same and offer the same features, but If I was to enter the Fujifilm market at the low end with intention to reach the higher end, I wouldn't like my camera controls or interface to change much as I upgrade. It is in fact made that way so people would not have to go through a steep learning curve. Think about that next time you use a camera different from yours.

I have a feeling you wouldn't like the OVF of an X10/20; especially if you're expecting something comparable to the X100. As an X10/X100/X-E1 owner I can assure you that an EVF of X30 proportions is much preferable to the dinky X10 OVF.

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